The Platte County Citizen

After leading much of the third set, Park Hill’s players found themselves facing match point Tuesday, Aug. 30.

A block from sophomores Rachel Pella and Honor Foutch tied the match with Lee’s Summit, and the Trojans scored the final two points to close out a 20-25, 25-19, 26-24 comeback victory at Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Mo. The match marked the opener in Suburban Conference Gold Division play.

Park Hill turned in a strong statistical showing to overcome a slow start.

The Trojans opened a big lead in the second set and held on and appeared in control for much of the third set, consistently holding two- and three-point leads. Kayla Huffman, a junior setter, provided 29 assists, while adding 11 digs on defense.

Chelsea Edwards led Park Hill with 19 digs, while Madison Michaelis also finished in double figures with 10.

Pella contributed a team-high five aces, while Huffman ended up with three. Tyah Barnett topped the attack with 12 kills followed by junior Kai Welsh (10), Foutch (six) and Pella (five).

Lee’s Summit West 2, Park Hill 1

The Trojans couldn’t keep up the momentum Thursday, Sept. 1, winning the first set in Lee’s Summit, Mo. before dropping the final two.

Welsh led another diverse attack for Park Hill, totaling nine kills while Burnett added seven and Foutch had six. Lee’s Summit West ended up with three players in double figures and recorded 41 total kills to Park Hill’s 35.

Welsh also had three blocks.

Park Hill won the opening set 25-22 before being blown out 25-13 in the second. Lee’s Summit West won the decider 25-20.

Entering at Tuesday, Sept. 6 matchup with Raymore-Peculiar, Park Hill owned a 2-2 record. The Trojans were also scheduled to play at Park Hill South on Wednesday, Sept. 7 in the only scheduled meeting between the rivals this season.

Park Hill South 2, St. Joseph Central 0

The Panthers were dominant in continuing an undefeated start to the season Thursday, Sept. 1 in St. Joseph, Mo.

The defense featured five players without six digs, including a team-high eight each for Andi Elley and Emily Day. Sarah Knight contributed seven, while Bri Bartosh and Allison Sadler had six apiece.

Annika Welty again led the attack with nine kills, while Elley and Bartosh added seven each.

Park Hill South 2, Liberty North 0

Welty and Knight turned in strong service performances in a sweep Tuesday, Aug. 30 at Park Hill South High School in Riverside, Mo.

The duo combined for seven aces, including four for Welty — the Panthers standout junior middle hitter. Welty also led the offense with nine kills, while Bartosh added six. In addition to three aces, Knight came up with five digs, tying with Welty and Bartosh for the team-high.

Platte County 2, Raytown South 0

The Pirates earned their first win of the season, opening Suburban Conference Blue Division play on Tuesday, Aug. 30 with a dominant showing.

After starting with three losses to tough Class 4 foes, Platte County dominated Raytown South in a sweep in Raytown, Mo. The Cardinals were overwhelmed from the start and lost 25-11, 25-8 while struggling with serve receive.

Platte County’s Ashley Bell and Lauren Walker hit four aces apiece, and Bell added eight assists. Kenzie Polley continued to shine at the net for the Pirates, posting a match-high five kills. Hannah Kunels, Alex Kelsey and Walker combined for one solo block (Kunels) and five block assists (two apiece for Kelsey and Walker).

Winnetonka 2, Platte County 0

The Pirates came up just short in the first set and lost a Blue Division matchup Thursday, Sept. 1 in Kansas City, Mo.

Winnetonka eked out the opener 25-23 and then rolled to a 25-15 win for the sweep. Bell notched 12 total assists in the loss, helping Polley to collect a team-high six kills. Bailey Harris put up 14 digs to lead the Pirates’ defense.

Platte County dropped to 1-4 overall entering a Tuesday, Sept. 6 matchup with Kearney. The result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.